1-year-old apparently drowns in pool Sunday, authorities say

AVON PARK -A 1-year-old child apparently drowned in a family pool in Avon Park Sunday, according to a Highlands County Sheriff's Office press release.

The home is located on North Riverdale Road, the news release said.

At approximately 6:30 p.m. Central Dispatch received the call that a baby had fallen into the pool and was unresponsive, authorities said.

Deputies began CPR until Emergency Medical Services arrived. The child was taken to Florida Hospital Heartland, however, emergency room personnel were unable to resuscitate the child, the news release adds.

No further details are available at this time and the case remains under investigation.

"This is a tragic situation and our deputies and victim advocates will assist this family in any way possible", Sheriff Susan Benton said.

As summertime is upon us, Benton encouraged everyone to review pool and swimming safety tips.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission indicates that the populations most at risk of drowning are children under 5 years old, representing nearly 75 percent of child drowning fatalities, the news release states.

"The website www.poolsafely.gov encourages people to stay close by and keep a watchful eye on children in and around the pool. It also advises to teach children basic water safety tips, keep them away from pool drains, pipes and other openings, have a portable telephone close by in case a call for help is needed and if a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first," the news release adds.